From shears to screens: Mpererwe barber builds media empire at 23

In a small, vibrant barbershop in Kampala’s Mpererwe suburb, the rhythmic snip of scissors is often accompanied by the buzz of smartphones and lively debate.

This is the headquarters of Kenneth Galiwango’s twin worlds: a place where haircuts are given and news breaks.

At 23, Galiwango is the founder of Santa Barbershop and the newly launched Santa Media Uganda, a digital platform delivering youth-focused news, entertainment, and politics. His journey from a young farmer to a budding media entrepreneur is a masterclass in grit.

The road, however, was paved with setbacks. His entrepreneurial spark ignited early; at just 11 years old, he was planting vegetables. By 2016, he had saved enough to buy eight hens, a venture that ended abruptly in 2017 when thieves raided his coop.

 "That loss stung deeply, but it taught me that real success rarely arrives without setbacks. You dust off, learn, and push forward."

That resilience led him to open Santa Barbershop in 2019. It became more than a business; it became a community hub. When the COVID-19 lockdown hit in 2020, the barbershop doors closed, but Galiwango’s mind opened. “That quiet period became my turning point,” he says. “I started dreaming bigger about connecting with people through stories.”

In February 2025, that dream materialized as Santa Media Uganda. The platform, named to reflect news as a “thoughtful gift,” focuses on short, accessible content for Uganda’s youth, navigating challenges like digital literacy and tight ad revenues. “It’s all service, understanding, and connection,” he says, seamlessly juggling his barbershop and newsroom.

Galiwango’s education was as nomadic as his career, spanning multiple schools and surviving COVID disruptions. Today, he stands as a mentor in Mpererwe, with peers seeking his advice. His philosophy is simple: “This spot is my foundation. If someone like me can rise from here, so can anyone.”